Which Pokemon Sun/Moon Starter Should You Choose?

Choosing a starter Pokemon is never an easy task in any Pokemon game, and that remains true in Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon. Should you choose Rowlet, Litten, or Popplio?

When the series began way back in 1996, players on Pokemon Red and Blue were left scratching their collective heads when trying to choose between Charmander, Bulbasaur and Squirtle. One advantage we had back then was those Pokemon remained one type as they evolved; Fire, Grass, and Water. That’s it. You build around it.

Over the various generations since we’ve had dual-types and Pokemon using moves that defy their types. Long story short: things are more complicated than they were way back on the classic brick Gameboy.

Rowlet, Litten, and Popplio have a unique blend of Type found in their later evolutions and a range of possible moves to master along the way. Let GrownGaming make the decision a little bit easier for you. We can also tell you how to get shiny starter Pokemonif you’re feeling particularly patient.

PopplioThe least popular starter Pokemon, the goofy looking Water-type Popplio has a battle on it’s hands to even be taken seriously.

Fortunately, the seal Pokemon has an ace up its sleeve; at level 34 it evolves into the final form of Primarina, gaining the Water/Fairy-types. This will make Primarina “super effective” against the challenging Dragon-type Pokemon that call the islands of Alola home.

Primarina can learn powerful attachs such as Hydro Pump and Moonblast, making it a Pokemon that can more than hold its own in battle. Decent HP and a combination of Special Defense and Special Attack stats will ensure Primarina has a role in the team of many trainers.

Litten
The cool looking Fire-cat, Litten, will no doubt be a popular choice for many trainers. The powerful Fire attacks will give trainers an advantage in the early stages, but the good times will keep coming when reaching level 34 and evolving into the final form of Incineroar.

Incineroar is a vicious-looking Fire/Dark-type, with the ability to learn powerful attacks such as Cross Chop, Flare Blitz and Outrage.

HP is solid, and the Attack stats have the potential to be pretty good depending on nature and training method, however Incineroar suffers from a distinct lack of pace. Think of Incineroar as a hard-hitting tank with a powerful arsenal of moves and the luxury of high health to do serious damage to the opposition.

Rowlet
A cute design, including awesome leaf bowtie, has made Rowlet one of the more popular Pokemon designs, but looks aren’t everything. Fortunately, Rowlet brings a heap of advantages to trainers from the very start of the game. The Grass/Flying type combination offers trainers moves like Peck and Razor Leaf to annihilate Bug, Water, Fighting, and Rock types.

Then comes evolution to the final form of Decidueye at level 34, and everything gets much more interesting.

Decidueye enjoys a type switch to Grass/Ghost, granting access to attacks such as Spirit Shackle, Leaf Blade and Brave Bird, and has well-rounded stats. While I’m not in love with the way Decidueye looks, the Grass/Ghost-type combination will give rival trainers a real battle.

So…which will YOU choose?

In previous Pokemon titles, a handful of starters could legitimately hold their own in battle in their original form at a higher level – trainers could choose whether they wanted to stick with the original forms for their aesthetics. In Pokemon Sun and Pokemon Moon, you’ll really need to evolve your Pokemon to truly make the most of them thanks to the additional types the evolutions bring to the table.

Each of the starters will no doubt have a place in the teams of the trainers that choose them for the duration of the adventure in Alola. I’m learning towards Litten because it looks so darn cool, but I can be easily swayed.

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